The essence of "Take Everything" is the offering of oneself as a gift to a partner. This could be seen as a purely sexual song, but my intentions were far wider. This type of offering isn't of the self-effacing variety that is born out of weakness - where one is depleting him/herself as a way to solicit approval. Rather it is an invitation from strength, where no matter how much is taken, one's fullness remains. That takes art and mastery, but I believe it is possible.

Someone once told me: "love is not 50-50; it's not even 100-100. It's 100-0." Maybe. It's certainly noble, and it's the very definition of unconditional love:

I expect nothing in return. My loving you has nothing at all to do with me or my needs, it's all about the betterment of you.

It's the giving - never in spite of or in injury towards self, but rather with any notion of return completely unconsidered.

A friend of mine asked me recently, "What is the fine line between being a devoted unconditional loving partner and a doormat?" I don't propose to fully know how to answer that question or want to unpack it here, but it has something to do with one's intention or motivation. In this song, a couple have been awarded wisdom after many years together doing what Andy Stanley calls "putting your deal before my deal." Everyone at their core is looking out for #1. What is the only way around that while still maintaining long-term relationships? The resolve of commitment and the decision of grace.

PLAY:

LYRICS:

We're learning to live in grace

We're learning to give when it's all been given away

When the well has run dry, or the tank has no space

We give it anyway

Another year, a quicker pace

Another war, an older face

Have things our way and plead our case

Or serve and die to ourselves and finish the race

We're learning to live in grace

We're learning to give when it's all been given away

When the well has run dry, or the tank has no space

We give it anyway

Because we know; that we could love

and be loved by anyone

It's in our choice; we'll tie this knot

And decide to love, love the one we've got

We're learning to live in grace

We're learning to give when it's all been given away

When the well has run dry, or the tank has no space

We give it anyway

And though it often takes hard work to patch up all these holes and splintered cracks